Who is running in Texas in 2026 has become a major question as the state moves toward the November 3 general election, with contests for governor, U.S. Senate, statewide offices, Congress and the Texas Legislature now taking shape.
Texas voters will decide several important races this fall. The statewide ballot includes the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, comptroller, land commissioner and agriculture commissioner, along with congressional, legislative and judicial contests.
The governor’s race and U.S. Senate contest are attracting particular attention. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott is seeking another term, while Democratic nominee Gina Hinojosa is challenging him. In the Senate race, Republican Ken Paxton is facing Democratic state Rep. James Talarico.
When Is the 2026 Texas Election?
The Texas general election is scheduled for November 3, 2026. The Texas Secretary of State lists October 5 as the voter-registration deadline, while in-person early voting is scheduled for October 19 through October 30.
The election will cover much more than the state’s highest-profile races. Every one of Texas’ 38 U.S. House seats is up for election, as are all 150 seats in the Texas House. Sixteen of the 31 Texas Senate seats will also appear on the ballot.
That makes the 2026 election one of the most consequential statewide political contests in years.
Who Is Running for Texas Governor?
The Texas governor’s race features Republican incumbent Greg Abbott and Democratic nominee Gina Hinojosa as the principal candidates on the November ballot.
Abbott is seeking a fourth full term. He has been governor since 2015 and won the Republican nomination in the 2026 primary. If he wins another term, he would set a new record for total time serving as Texas governor after completing the term. Texas does not impose a gubernatorial term limit.
Hinojosa won the Democratic nomination and will attempt to become the first Democrat elected governor of Texas since Ann Richards left office in January 1995. Her campaign has emphasized affordability, education, healthcare and criticism of Abbott’s record.
The governor’s office is especially important because the governor signs or vetoes legislation, sets priorities for special legislative sessions and makes numerous appointments across state government.
The current statewide governor matchup can be summarized as follows:
| Candidate | Party | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Greg Abbott | Republican | Incumbent, on the ballot |
| Gina Hinojosa | Democratic | Democratic nominee |
| Pat Dixon | Libertarian | On the ballot |
The latest candidate information also lists independent and write-in candidates in the governor’s contest, but the Abbott-Hinojosa matchup remains the central two-party race.
Who Is Running for U.S. Senate in Texas?
The Texas U.S. Senate race has become one of the most closely watched contests in the country.
Republican Ken Paxton is the GOP nominee. Democratic state Rep. James Talarico is the Democratic nominee. The two will compete for the Senate seat currently held by Republican John Cornyn. Paxton defeated Cornyn in the Republican primary runoff.
Paxton entered the general election with strong support from President Donald Trump’s political network. MAGA Inc. committed at least $10 million to support Paxton and oppose Talarico, according to a recent Federal Election Commission filing reported by Reuters.
Talarico has emerged as a serious Democratic challenger. Recent reporting has described the race as unusually competitive for Texas, a state where Republicans have dominated statewide elections for decades.
Campaign fundraising has also highlighted the competitiveness of the contest. Recent campaign-finance data showed Talarico substantially ahead of Paxton in money raised during the 2026 cycle.
The race has also attracted significant national attention. Paxton and Talarico are campaigning on contrasting approaches to taxes, affordability, social issues and the role of government.
Recent developments have increased the focus on Paxton’s campaign. His allies have stepped up advertising as Republicans seek to protect what has traditionally been a reliable GOP Senate seat.
Texas Attorney General Race
The attorney general’s race is another important statewide contest because Ken Paxton is leaving the office to seek a U.S. Senate seat.
Republican Mayes Middleton won the GOP nomination after defeating U.S. Rep. Chip Roy in the Republican runoff. Democrat Nathan Johnson won the Democratic nomination.
Middleton is seeking to keep the attorney general’s office under Republican control after Paxton’s departure.
The attorney general serves as Texas’ chief lawyer and represents the state in major civil litigation. The office has become increasingly prominent in disputes involving federal policies, elections, immigration and other major issues.
Who Is Running for Texas Lieutenant Governor?
Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is seeking another term. Patrick has held the office since 2015 and is seeking a fourth term.
Democrat Vikki Goodwin is competing for the Democratic nomination’s place on the general-election ballot, while Libertarian and Green Party candidates are also listed in the statewide contest.
The lieutenant governor is particularly influential in Texas because the officeholder presides over the Texas Senate and plays a central role in setting the chamber’s legislative agenda.
Texas Comptroller Race
The comptroller’s contest also features a Republican-versus-Democratic matchup.
Republican Don Huffines won the GOP nomination. Democrat Sarah Eckhardt won the Democratic nomination. Libertarian and Green Party candidates are also listed in the statewide race.
The comptroller serves as Texas’ chief financial officer and provides revenue estimates that lawmakers use when developing the state budget. The office therefore has a direct role in Texas’ financial planning.
Texas Land Commissioner Race
Republican Dawn Buckingham is seeking reelection as land commissioner. Democrat Benjamin Flores is challenging her in the general election.
The General Land Office oversees millions of acres of state land. It also handles important responsibilities involving disaster recovery, public school funding and the Alamo.
Because of the size and value of Texas’ public lands, the land commissioner’s race can have major financial and policy implications for the state.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Race
Republican Nate Sheets won the Republican nomination for agriculture commissioner after defeating three-term incumbent Sid Miller in the primary. Democrat and third-party candidates are also competing for the position.
The agriculture commissioner oversees the Texas Department of Agriculture and plays a role in farming policy, school nutrition programs and regulation affecting the state’s agricultural sector.
Who Is Running for Congress in Texas?
All 38 U.S. House seats in Texas are up for election in November. The congressional races have received additional attention because Texas Republicans previously redrew the state’s congressional map.
The new district boundaries have changed the political landscape in several parts of the state. Some Democratic incumbents have faced difficult decisions because redistricting placed multiple incumbents within overlapping political territory.
Republicans are seeking to strengthen their position in the U.S. House, while Democrats are attempting to compete in districts that could become more competitive in November.
Several South Texas contests are receiving national attention. Republican candidates are campaigning on border security, economic issues and conservative policies, while Democrats are emphasizing affordability and opposition to the Trump administration’s policies. Recent Republican events in Dallas have highlighted the importance of South Texas congressional races.
Who Is Running for the Texas Legislature?
Texas voters will also decide control of the state Legislature.
All 150 Texas House seats are on the November ballot. Republicans currently hold an 88-62 majority in the chamber, while Democrats are targeting competitive districts in an effort to reduce or potentially eliminate the GOP advantage.
Sixteen of the state’s 31 Senate seats are also up for election. Twelve of those races involve incumbents seeking reelection.
The Legislature will be important because lawmakers will determine state policies involving taxes, education, healthcare, public safety, energy, property rights and other major issues during the next legislative session.
Other Texas Races on the 2026 Ballot
The November election extends beyond the governor, Senate and congressional races.
Texas voters will also choose candidates for:
- Texas Supreme Court seats
- Texas Court of Criminal Appeals seats
- Railroad Commissioner
- State Board of Education positions
- Texas Senate seats
- Texas House seats
- County and local offices
Four Texas Supreme Court seats are scheduled for election in 2026, with all four current justices seeking reelection. Three seats on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals are also up for election.
One seat on the three-member Texas Railroad Commission is being contested. Republican Bo French defeated incumbent Jim Wright in the Republican runoff and will compete in the general election.
Why the Texas Races Matter
The 2026 Texas elections have national importance because the state is home to one of the country’s largest congressional delegations and remains a major Republican stronghold.
At the same time, Democrats are investing heavily in selected races. The U.S. Senate contest has drawn particular attention because James Talarico has turned the race into a serious challenge to Ken Paxton.
Recent national political coverage has identified Texas as one of the unexpected Senate battlegrounds that could influence control of the chamber.
The governor’s contest is also significant. Abbott is seeking another term while Hinojosa is attempting to end a decades-long Democratic drought in statewide Texas politics.
What Voters Should Watch Next
The next major stage of the election will be the final campaign period leading into October voting.
Texas’ voter-registration deadline is October 5. Early voting begins October 19 and continues through October 30. Election Day is November 3.
Campaigns are expected to focus heavily on the economy, taxes, affordability, immigration, education, healthcare, public safety and federal-state relations.
For voters searching for who is running in Texas, the most important names to know at the statewide level are Greg Abbott and Gina Hinojosa in the governor’s race and Ken Paxton and James Talarico in the U.S. Senate contest. Other statewide races will determine who controls several powerful Texas offices.
The Texas Secretary of State has published the official election information for the November 3 general election, including candidate listings and ballot information.
As Election Day approaches, Texas voters will have a clearer picture of which candidates can reshape the state’s political direction—stay informed and follow the latest confirmed developments.